We Interview BMW M President, Dr. Nitschke, at 2012 Geneva Motorshow

[MMMMM3]

Will make more sense to call them M3 (for the sedan) and M4 (coupe), just like the M5 (sedan) and M6 (coupe). The "M" is the important part, not the number after it.

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by MMMMM3

Will make more sense to call them M3 (for the sedan) and M4 (coupe), just like the M5 (sedan) and M6 (coupe). The "M" is the important part, not the number after it.

i don't see what the big deal is about losing the M3 nameplate for the coupe, u'll still have the m3 sedan. i mean it's all about $$ anyway and the whole renaming structure just means more $$ for the 4er, just like a5/s5 over a4/s4.

i for one dont care - give me the m3 sedan; i need the ability to put a car seat in the back anyway. and i'll prob get the same engine, same tranny, same suspension (hell, prob even same weight), same LSD, same brakes.... for 12% cheaper.... if the new m3 is going to start at 62-3K, i'm sure the m4 will start at 70K.....

[Tobbep]

Originally Posted by kmarei

sure the M4 will eventually become an icon (maybe)
but in doing so you have just killed an existing icon that has lasted about 26 years
you know how much most other car companies would pay to have the M3 name?
other than the 911 i don't think any other model name carries as much weight
i know this has been on the table since the E90/E92
but now its suddely being done, right after Audi did the same thing
and charged more for the A5 than the A4
hmmmmmmm

I could not agree with you more. The logic of the people in charge to ruin such a long lasting icon is beyond me. Everybody knows what an M3 is. As a business there is power in that. After visiting their Museum in Munich I could tell that they were proud of their long history, especially regarding the M3. Now I'm not sure what to think. I understand the need to come up with new products but it does not make any sense to alter/ruin the very icon that people love. The people in charge are truly making a wrong turn on this one.

[Tobbep]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

i don't see what the big deal is about losing the M3 nameplate for the coupe, u'll still have the m3 sedan. i mean it's all about $$ anyway and the whole renaming structure just means more $$ for the 4er, just like a5/s5 over a4/s4.

i for one dont care - give me the m3 sedan; i need the ability to put a car seat in the back anyway. and i'll prob get the same engine, same tranny, same suspension (hell, prob even same weight), same LSD, same brakes.... for 12% cheaper.... if the new m3 is going to start at 62-3K, i'm sure the m4 will start at 70K.....

This is the problem in my opinion. The M3 used to be performance car from BMW not your usual Family Sedan with enough room for a couple of car seats in the back. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against enough room for the family but don't ruin the M3 because of it. If people don't care why not keep the Coupe as an M3 and the Sedan as the M4 (with all the room in the world for the car seats)?

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by Tobbep

This is the problem in my opinion. The M3 used to be performance car from BMW not your usual Family Sedan with enough room for a couple of car seats in the back. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against enough room for the family but don't ruin the M3 because of it. If people don't care why not keep the Coupe as an M3 and the Sedan as the M4 (with all the room in the world for the car seats)?

I agree with your sentiment, but BMW really landed its reputation for making the world's best sports sedans, not sports coupes. BMW has always built its platforms from sedans and made converted coupes out of them. The very few dedicated coupes have had very short life spans. I think the M4 will have a rabid following and will have so much more of a style factor over the M3.

[Jblack4083]

Originally Posted by Tobbep

This is the problem in my opinion. The M3 used to be performance car from BMW not your usual Family Sedan with enough room for a couple of car seats in the back. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against enough room for the family but don't ruin the M3 because of it. If people don't care why not keep the Coupe as an M3 and the Sedan as the M4 (with all the room in the world for the car seats)?

That just makes no sense...

Everyone is all in a huff but all that we know right now is:

IF AND ONLY IF they actually do make a final decision to rename the 3-series coupe and vert to 4-series... THEN the new M variant will be M4 (unless of course the M division decides to deviate from the naming convention). We dont even know for sure if the 3 coupe and vert will actually become the 4 series.

This may not make any sense but i have a strange feeling that the M3 will remain sedan, coupe, and vert. At the same time I have a feeling we will still see an M4... In Gran Coupe form with an uprated engine.

[Tobbep]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

That just makes no sense...

Everyone is all in a huff but all that we know right now is:

IF AND ONLY IF they actually do make a final decision to rename the 3-series coupe and vert to 4-series... THEN the new M variant will be M4 (unless of course the M division decides to deviate from the naming convention). We dont even know for sure if the 3 coupe and vert will actually become the 4 series.

This may not make any sense but i have a strange feeling that the M3 will remain sedan, coupe, and vert. At the same time I have a feeling we will still see an M4... In Gran Coupe form with an uprated engine.

So you are thinking that the M4 will be more of a race-like version (increased engine output, suspension setup, brakes, etc) while the M3 will remain more civil as a coupe, sedan, and vert?

[Tobbep]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

I agree with your sentiment, but BMW really landed its reputation for making the world's best sports sedans, not sports coupes. BMW has always built its platforms from sedans and made converted coupes out of them. The very few dedicated coupes have had very short life spans. I think the M4 will have a rabid following and will have so much more of a style factor over the M3.

I guess only time will tell.

[GOLFFRR]

interesting. lots of diplomatic answers which lead us wanting more. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Tobbep

I could not agree with you more. The logic of the people in charge to ruin such a long lasting icon is beyond me. Everybody knows what an M3 is. As a business there is power in that. After visiting their Museum in Munich I could tell that they were proud of their long history, especially regarding the M3. Now I'm not sure what to think. I understand the need to come up with new products but it does not make any sense to alter/ruin the very icon that people love. The people in charge are truly making a wrong turn on this one.

...Perhaps the M335i sounds too close to M3? ,,, ridiculous I know but anything is possible , the car is the car regardless of the badge

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

look at Audi s4 and s5 - did the s5 degrade the s4? Not at all.

Not even remotely the same thing. The lineage of the M3 spans 25-26 years Audi S4 (based on the 100) didn't exist until 1994. Apples vs. Oranges

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by kmarei

sure the M4 will eventually become an icon (maybe)
but in doing so you have just killed an existing icon that has lasted about 26 years
you know how much most other car companies would pay to have the M3 name?
other than the 911 i don't think any other model name carries as much weight
i know this has been on the table since the E90/E92
but now its suddely being done, right after Audi did the same thing
and charged more for the A5 than the A4
hmmmmmmm

^+1

[car_fan]

I guess we could make a case of how the 2002 morphed into the 3 Series...but still not the same in my book

Just like I consider the attached model year 1973 2002 to be the true predecessor to the 1M. But hey what do I know

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by car_fan

Not even remotely the same thing. The lineage of the M3 spans 25-26 years Audi S4 (based on the 100) didn't exist until 1994. Apples vs. Oranges:roll eyes:

I'm 25 years old which means I was 6 when the S4 was introduced - so basically the s4 and M3 have been around my whole life - this is my reference frame. I could care less about the lineage, to my generation its all about modern performance german cars

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

I'm 25 years old which means I was 6 when the S4 was introduced - so basically the s4 and M3 have been around my whole life - this is my reference frame. I could care less about the lineage, to my generation its all about modern performance german cars

sorry to break it to you - your time frame of reference/life span - means squat when it come to lineage. Read up - you might learn something.

Plus you loose credibility when you compare the Audi SLine to true BMW M cars. If you mentioned the RS line you may get some respect.

[Jblack4083]

Originally Posted by Tobbep

So you are thinking that the M4 will be more of a race-like version (increased engine output, suspension setup, brakes, etc) while the M3 will remain more civil as a coupe, sedan, and vert?

I think there will be only one variant of the M4... Gran Coupe with an uprated engine.

[Tobbep]

Originally Posted by car_fan

sorry to break it to you - your time frame of reference/life span - means squat when it come to lineage. Read up - you might learn something.

Plus you loose credibility when you compare the Audi SLine to true BMW M cars. If you mentioned the RS line you may get some respect.

Agreed...

[theArgiope]

I will totally stop buying M cars if they change the little plastic digit on the back of the trunk.

[Singletrack]

New naming convention makes sense overall, but it's a little goofy to me with the history of the M3.

[MMMMM3]

I'm more worried about the sound the V6 will make, and whether they'll have the sound "enhanced" via the speakers - like the new M5. Other than that, it'll most likely look better, drive better, and go faster. Can't wait.

[671rover]

Originally Posted by theArgiope

I will totally stop buying M cars if they change the little plastic digit on the back of the trunk.

I wouldn't care much what they call it, just as long as it handles and performs like an M car. That to me is much more important than a digit and a letter at the back of the trunk.

[MMMMM3]

Originally Posted by 671rover

I wouldn't care much what they call it, just as long as it handles and performs like an M car. That to me is much more important than a digit and a letter at the back of the trunk.

+1